The Fw200 C-4 was the main series production version of this powerful reconnaissance bomber. It was the first modern "Long Range Aircraft" in the world. The military version was later named 'Scourge of the Atlantic' by Winston Churchill. Based on a reconnaissance version of the civil Fw200 built (but not delivered) to Japan, these aircraft formed the basis of the newly formed Kampfgeschwader 40 (Combat Wing 40). Finally in 1942 the most prolific Fw 200, the C-4 appeared. It was used as a long range reconnaissance aircraft and also as a bomber against maritime targets. For this role conventional bombs could be carried on attachment points under the engine nacelles and in the ventral bay. One of the Fw 200's main tasks was to search for allied convoys and then transmit tactical information to the German U-boats in order to prepare for a possible attack. Kampfgeschwader 40 (Combat Wing 40) was stationed at Bordeaux-Mérignac. The aircraft flew mostly alone during their missions which often lasted more than 14 hours. Their main area of operations lay in the area of ocean between Portugal and the Azores. Six SC250 bombs (of which two were carried in the ventral gondola) or two torpedoes could be carried as a bomb load. Out of a total of 107 aircraft built, 94 were C-4's.